Sabian Symbols: The magic carpet
THE MAGIC CARPET OF ORIENTAL IMAGERY.
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This universal idea is best expressed through planets in
Aries 19 (18°- 19°)RISING ABOVE ORDINARY PERCEPTION
Relaxing the mind supports a creative, positive and visionary way of seeing things "Training how to release the grasping mind" A way of life refusing hectic involvement in social competition and wasteful overproduction allows for development of unattached, transcendent understanding. When in repose, the creative mind can better survey our present situation, and then stuck routine can be transformed into a new, holistic perception.
Rudhyar: THE MAGIC CARPET OF ORIENTAL IMAGERY |
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The magic carpet of oriental imagery
Panorama
The magic carpet |
Mind has an infinite capacity to overview experience and use imagination as a magical process
Religious teachings emphasise social involvement whereas esoteric wisdom in mysticism is arrived at in a detached condition. The mystic scorns ordinary living with all its burdens. Social influences make intense demands upon the mind to focus on worldly matters, in pursuit of position and wealth whatever the cost to the spirit. This is madness, and of course is supportive of depression, anxiety, superficiality and Godlessness. Daily spiritual practice will remedy this condition, allowing us to rise above the denseness of the earth so that the mind can enjoy a relaxed state and recuperate from its ordeal. There is a misconception that meditation takes up time and diminishes our effectiveness in dealing with life. The reverse is true, because we spend less time making mistakes and have a general access to a higher degree of wisdom and insight. Then all of our involvements become meaningful, and our vision of the future becomes rich and expansive. Curiosity is a key quality that distinguishes our species – it unlocks greater human potential. The expansion of potential, the expansion of vision and the expansion of consciousness are all correlated. To grow, we need first to see further. As we look, so we find. Those who look out towards distant horizons will envision a broader future for themselves and for humanity, seeing how great is the gift of an unlimited array of possibility. OverviewWith right mind, we can glance around at a vast panorama of potential as if from a magic carpet, above it all. Overview enables us to decide how and where to become involved in human affairs, and the degree of our involvement reflects the extent of our willingness to let go of the panoramic viewpoint. This greater vision, gained through detachment, can be put to advantage, as we learn to use imagination to expand our destiny.
Life offers this for each of us, limited only by our imagination. Even when we focus down, and temporarily lose the perspective of detachment, a part of us remains a little aloof so that we can always pull back for reflection. Soul freedom is never fully lost, though there is a danger that it can be all but forgotten. If we lose sight of our spiritual self, life is shallow; a hollow, pretend life lived by a caricature, surviving a scant diet of vicarious or imagined joy. It is to be avoided at all costs. Such a life is a distortion of the spiritual principle of detachment. With an unattached state, we can still celebrate all potentialities, many variations on a theme, a kaleidoscope of experiences – without a need to become over-involved. The trick is to maintain a subtle, fluid, state of mind wherein we are able, moment by moment, to be both passionately committed and completely detached simultaneously, being lost in neither material nor spiritual realms. |
The magic carpet
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Commentary from Mara
When we let go of a hectic, stagnant routine we allow ourselves to open our eyes and see the answers and opportunities which have always been with us, yet unseen. Finding and accepting these, we can now fly to the horizon of our wildest dreams. |
